Food:
Very Good
Presentation: Good
Service:
Good
Ambience:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Price:
Good
Recommendation:
Steak
Authentic Restaurant. No fuzz but good food
Wonderful food, absolutely fresh, imaginative and cooked with care; the in-house pasta is delightful, crustacea fresh and cooked perfectly, the pheasant with a hint of cumquat delightful. Thoroughly recommended!
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In my never-ending search for a dining experience that can transport the mind instantaneously, I was lucky enough to come across Masani.
As you approach Masani you are taken back in time over 100 years. Whether you notice the stunning window glazing of the former Carlton Club, the warm wood-log fire through the window, or if you have a keen eye for detail you may have also noticed the four Kangaroo-like sculptures on the facade of the historic building.
Just as the building exemplifies Carlton's rich history, after talking with Head Chef Richard Masani and enjoying his food you’ll find out that his cooking is inspired by classical and regional Italian dishes from his origins and personal history. This is soul food in its true form. Masani expresses the passion that he has for food, his culture and his family in every dish.
Masani’s is not only about the food. Richards daughter Kara, an award-winning sommelier, matches wines to Richards food like no other could. This combination of culinary expertise is what sets Masani’s apart from so many of the other Italian restaurants in Melbourne and is a must try destination for any food lovers journey.
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Its so nice to see one of Melbourne's finest keeping up the standards we have been used to for over thirty years. Masani is what Carlton used to be with a touch of class. It can be a simple pasta dish or a more complex dish , all executed to perfection. This coupled with one Australia's most experienced sommelier will deliver an experience that is unforgettable.
Save this dinning experience for special celbration or just a night out either will remain in your memory. It is without question a touch of class without a bank loan required.
You cant expect this level quality and not expect to pay a little more, there are lots of $15-$28.00 options in Lygon street but that's what you will get $15-$28 worth. The sommelier/waitress recommended a bottle Torres Celeste Tempranillo at $82.00 and I can tell you that's far better value than I have had in more well known establishments with far more expensive wines. The service excellent polite, perhaps a little over servicing but not intrusive.
My only criticism is perhaps the servings could be a little more, that said my Fegato Antra was excellent as was the Pork Otway.
Thank you for a truly great and comfortable evening, my business associate was very impressed as well, I will be back soon.
Another great meal at Masani. Terrific crostini, very fresh oysters, great seafood spaghetti and an excellent steak. Very good wine recommendations and all of this is a wonderful old school elegant (but not formal setting). Add to that some of the best service in Melbourne and this is what old school Carlton used to to be about. Yes, it is a bit expensive but if you want a relaxing meal where you can sit back, confident that the recommendations will be spot on and the food wonderful, this is the place.
Went for dinner here the other night and I was pretty impressed. The restaurant was not busy, but nonetheless, the service was great. Quite a few specials on the menu, including the kangaroo parpadelle, which was beautifully slow cooked and delicious. Masani has a good wine list that pairs with the food options well. While the cost per person might be slightly high, the quality of food is very good.
The food is good and the staff are friendly. The wine list is of special note, some very interesting options to choose from. I certainly recommend talking with the sommelier who is incredibly knowledgeable and will be able to point out some great wines.
After wandering around Lygon St for a half an hour trying to work out what we wanted for our wedding anniversary dinner we randomly settled on Masani and ended up having a very enjoyable evening.
While not budget level ($40-$45 for a main and $15-$20 for dessert) the quality of the food was excellent. I had the "signature" fish stew which was reminiscent of bouillabaisse, but actually much better than anything I had while living in Marseille - the flavours were much more subtle and fresh. The veal (according to the other half of the party) was a little on the salty side for her liking, but otherwise extremely tasty. The wine list was extensive, but as with the food was not on the cheap side. Unlike some of the other reviews on this site we found the service to be excellent - attentive but not overly so. We'd definitely chose to come back again.
Great family run business. Just a work function here. Staff were extremely accommodating and obliging. Food was exceptional and wine very good.
Another fantastic meal at this restaurant - we've been coming here 10 years and I can honesty say I've never had a bad course (let alone a meal!!)
Today my wife and I had oysters and masala duck livers for an entree followed by the goat (for me) and barramundi for her. Sides of arugula,pear Parmesan salad and avocado/kumato .
A couple of glasses of the mascarto and we can say it's all good.
Love the place
Love the food
Love the people
Family run Italian. Been going here for 20yrs. Italian fine dining gem Biden from the rubbish of Lygon St. Richard is a great chef and his daughter runs the place with real professionalism. Has a long standing loyal clientele and if you want real fine dining Italian try this place. You will not be disappointed.
Masani is one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. The service was excellent, the waitstaff genuinely cared about your dining experience & the food was fantastic (especially the braised kid). The wine list was also great. Definitely going back next time we're in Melbourne. Would highly recommend!
Thoroughly enjoyable. First review, warrented by the simply fantastic experiencence I had at this restaurant tonight. Enjoyed the snapper special, cooked superbly (difficult for a less oily fish) paired with the piuatti pinot griggio. I've dined at some of the most touted Italian establishments in Melbourne and wider still (namely one with initials GF..) and this atops my list. Do yourself a favour by trying this spot. PP
Food at its finest. I have never written a review but after eating for years I was compelled. How do you define perfection?
With a main size spaghetti con crostacei and a bottle of Bannockburn Pinot Noir.
Enjoy!
Beautiful place. Family owned and operated with a fantastic menu and regually changing specials. Love it.
Enjoyable food and atmosphere, extensive wine list all be it a bit pricey. Find waitress/sommelier can be a little pushy with the up-sell at times. That said I look forward to returning for the food in the future. The chocolate soufflé is incredibly delicious.
Table for 8 on a Wednesday night. Staff were very friendly, attentive and professional. Food service slow but the meals themselves were excellent. I had the 400g rib eye steak, which was a generous 400g, perfectly cooked and seasoned. All 8 people happy with their meals. Would be a perfect score if the mains came out quicker.
The best of nights. Found this incredible place on a cold Autumn night. As we walked in we were greeted by the warmth of the open fire places and the very professional team that it takes to run such a place. We were then seated in the main dining room and given the menu and wine list, and what a great wine list!! Not being able to decide on what to drink, we asked the head sommelier for advise and we’re recommended a great Nebbiolo. For dinner we decided on Fresh figs and prosciutto to start followed by the roast pheasant... Enough said!
We’ll definitely be back as this kind of service is so hard to find in today’s busy world. 5 stars.
Amazing service with amazing meals
Can't wait to go back
True European. Thank you.. What a wonderful restaurant, in the european style. We had a party for 50 people and the food was beautiful - totally fresh, innovative but not complex. The family staff are absolutely delightful; friendly and well organised. The wine list offers a very good variety..... and a stylish room, without pretense. Overall a successful night, and 50 very happy people. Some of the brand restaurants could learn something from this more traditional but gracious style.
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An altogether excellent experience. As a visitor from England I took my wife, son and daughter-in law to this restaurant on the evening of 16th Oct. My son a Melbourne resident had booked for me as he had been to Masani's before so I had an open mind as to what it would be like. From the moment we met at the bar we were made most welcome and the mood was relaxed, pleasant and unhurried. The dining room is spacious with plenty of room between tables so one can chat without being too overheard which is nice for fine dining. No piped music either, so all very civilized and conducive to fine dining. Our table was spacious and well set and our meals, all different were expertly cooked and presented and excellent in every way. Our waitress was very friendly, discretely attentive, and most knowlegable about the dishes and the wait between course serving was timed to perfection. In a word she was professional at her job. The wine list was extensive and our various selections all served at their correct temperatures.
All in all we were there for 3 hours, had a most pleasant meal and found nothing whatsoever to criticise or complain about, on the contrary the whole experience was excellent. Not cheap but then one doesn't expect that in a good city restaurant. and I would certainly have no hesitation in recommending Masani's which at the date of writing this review would take some beating.
Simple, colourful and professional. Congratulations to Masanis - Whilst the majority of Carlton's Italian restaurants offer Sofia quality food, unjustified prices and photos of ferraris, Masanis has stuck to a winning italian formula - simple, uncomplicated, colourful and delicious food and a prefessionally assembled wine list. One could not ask for more when dining Italian.
Good food, good wine, good company - the complete dining experience. Upon reading some of the reviews on this page I question whether reviewers are talking about the same restaurant i have visted on a number of occasions - both for meals and private functions.
In my experience the young staff offered a vibrance to the place and obviously care deeply about this family run establishment. The Sommelier is very knowledgable and has developed an extensive wine list - one of the best i have seen. The food is delicious and each time I have visited have left with a very full stomach.
A visit to this restaurant encapsulates the experience that I expect when dining out.
For those who just want a quick, cheap bite this might not be the place for you (maybe try a fast-food restaurant!) but for those who want a relaxed dining experience with time to savour the taste of your delicious meal and good glass of wine (or three) then this is definately the place!
Good Experience for an Anniversary. My better half and I recently went to Masani's for an Anniversary Dinner. The attention we were given by the staff, complimented the lovely food and made for a great dining experience. The building is well appointed, and for me, its great to be away from the 'love you and leave you' feel that Lygon St has developed. The staff geniunely cared about a good feeling. We both enjoyed the meal, and atmosphere, and will definitely be back.
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Always a winner. The food at Masani is incredible. I've been going back there for over ten years now and the standard of the food continues to impress me. The chef doesn't compromise on quality ingredients (locally and from Italy) and even the pasta is made by hand (if you're a vegetarian, the pasta with sage butter and crushed amaretti biscuits is to die for).
My all time favourite are the oysters, and the chocolate souffle for dessert is heavenly (with chocolate sauce and home-made vanilla ice-cream). I was really impressed with the wine list (better than most places I've seen, and affordable) and the manager/sommelier had an extensive knowledge of the wines - she even matched the wines to our meal, which completed the whole experience.
The restaurant was cosy and ambient with the woodfire burning and the staff were friendly and attentive - they even brought us a complimentary tasting plate of interesting little bits and pieces that the chef was trying out...so yummy!
Masani is probably one of the best restaurants in Melbourne and I'll continue to choose it for all my special nights out - I had my 30th there four years ago...they catered perfectly for my 60 guests in the private room upstairs.
Bellissimo!. I celebrated my 30th birthday here a few weeks back. The old world charm of the building and the open fires are quite the draw card. The food was amazing!! Oysters, Arancini Balls, Creme Brulee... and the lamb chops!!!!
I have also taken some clients here from work and they were suitably impressed. We had a delicious French Shiraz equivalent - although the name of it escapes me. The duck ravioli was to die for! And who makes their own pasta these days? I purchased a voucher for my friends who have recently become engaged. With the fires, a glass of red and a delicious meal it will be perfect!
Summing up in a sentence. Loved the food and the food loved me!
An excellent restaurant - an impressive Victorian era building with high ceilings and stained glass make the perfect setting to enjoy quality Italian food with smartly dressed and attentive wait staff. We have dined here twice in six weeks and found the food delicious on both occasions. Having just spent three weeks in Paris eating in Michelin rated restaurants, Masani is as good as or better than many.
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Carlton's Best. It doesn't come any better than this! Been there 4 times, and 4 times I've been floored - this restaurant should be the benchmark for all others in Melbourne. Tucked away behind Lygon's popular strip, Masani is a venue that puts all other Italian (and mixed fare) restaurants to shame.
Positioned smack-bang between spam-covered pizza restaurants and over-priced we-won't-explain-the-dish-cos-your-nonna-isn't-Calabrian affectations - Masani rescues us with fine dining, intimate explanations, a wine list that is both extensive and globe-covering, and staff that remember faces - I celebrated a birthday there, and 3 months later a relative went back and was recognised instantly.
Nestled on a quiet corner, and in an old gentleman's club, Masani is the type of restaurant you'd picture an assisted wedding proposal, where the staff would gleefully deposit the ring in a glass of obscure regional Italian sparkling, and by the end of the night you'd probably end up inviting them all to the wedding. This is one family-run restaurant that demonstrates epicurean craftsmanship!
Como Nonna!. Nonna's spirit is working in this food. It takes me back to my childhood. The food is what it should be like, made with love and passion using the freshest and best ingredients possible. Oysters gratinate to die for as well as the "kid". Capretto di casa in real terms.
A beautiful night in a beautiful restaurant, the service was outstanding thanks to Kara for making it such a personal experience, the food was honest rustic and delicious, the wine was another level especially the amazing (& very long) list to choose from which was brilliantly backed up with a world of knowledge & good advice from Kara yet again & the company wasn’t bad either. All in all it was a perfect night, what more can you ask for?
Honestly the best Italian food I have ever eaten. Great service and friendly staff. Have visited a couple of times now. Would definitely recommend if you enjoy Italian food and a warm atmosphere.
One of the best Italian restaurants in Melbourne for sure 🤌🏻 highly recommended, fresh and tasty.
An elegant gem of culinary expertise.
A wine list that will knock your socks off. Brilliant service by talented professionals. Prawn entree was a highlight.
Definitely recommend this place if Italian fine foods are your thing, and if they're not try it anyway because they'll change your mind.
A great experience and I'll be returning soon for more.
Best pasta I’ve ever eaten. Such wonderful service! Highly recommend!
I had driven and walked pasted a few times and noticed the stunning alfresco setting.
Then on a Sunday afternoon I ran into Richard the owner and he was lovely. With a tough few years due of Covid I knew I had to go and support my local.
Richard was the ultimate host.
The food was a breath of fresh air.
The wine was on point and well paired with my meal.
The zucchini flower starter was thoughtfully dressed.
The ragu was al dente, the meat falling apart and all was well seasoned.
Somehow Masani felt like home and I’m not Italian…..
An excellent meal: very generous portions, an ever changing menu, they very generously accommodated a special request for desert. Best of all, the service has an old world charm mixed with a homely touch. I always look forward to my next visit.
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